§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many political refugees are settled in the United Kingdom at the present time; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe available information on those given leave to remain in the United Kingdom as a recognised refugee is that in the period 1979 to end 1993 around 43,200 persons, including associated dependants, were given such leave. These comprise some 19,700 asylum applicants who were recognised as refugees and granted asylum in the United Kingdom, and 23,500 south-east Asian refugees accepted for settlement, mainly on arrival. Information on the number of these persons who have since died, left the country, obtained British citizenship or otherwise ceased to hold refugee status here, and information prior to 1979, is not available.
Persons granted asylum here apply for permanent settlement after four years. Information on persons accepted for settlement in the years 1979–92 on this basis, along with south-east Asian refugees, is published in table 8 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin Issue 22/90 "Refugee Statistics United Kingdom 1989" and Table 10.1 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin Issue 19/93 "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1992". Copies of both these publications are in the Library. Corresponding information for 1993 will be published in the summer.